Azilda man arrested after carjacking and evading police

A 23-year-old man from the Greater Sudbury community of Azilda is facing a list of charges following an alleged carjacking on Manitoulin Island.

Ontario Provincial Police in Mindemoya say officers responded to a carjacking at a cottage on Ketchancookem Trail on Friday, August 2 at 9:10 am.

They say a man staying at a local resort left without his surety, and a short time later, he entered a cottage and demanded keys to the occupants' vehicle using a knife.

Officials say he sped away on Highway 540, forced a police vehicle off the road near Little Current, and managed to evade several attempts by officers to stop him. He allegedly drove dangerously near police cars, nearly hitting officers, and swerving around spike belts laid down to disable the vehicle he was driving.

Police say he drove east on Highway 17 towards Sudbury and was later found at his home in Azilda.

The OPP Canine Unit along with Greater Sudbury Police Service helped with the investigation that has resulted in the following charges:

Robbery with a weapon

Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose

Dangerous operation of a vehicle

Failure to comply with recognizance

Driving while under suspension

The accused is being held in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on August 21.